Bhutan, 2008 and beyond

“I enjoy talking to you all not just because it is my duty but because we will be starting our lives together and ending our careers together. When we retire 20 or 30 years later, let us pass on the country proudly into younger hands. Our responsibilities, country, goals and fates are the same. We will see each other grow old, and more importantly, we will see each other become wiser, more capable, more intelligent and we will see each other serve our country. I pray that you will serve yourselves, your parents and family as well as the country capably and with dedication. I wish you all Tashi Delek.”

It is the desire of His Majesty the King that Bhutanese citizens offer His Majesty just the tashi khadar for the Coronation, with no presents, said the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley. The celebrations of the Coronation will be organised so that all well-wishers will be given the opportunity to offer His Majesty the khadar.

As excitement builds for the official coronation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, behind the scenes, the mystical century-old process has already begun.

The ceremony on November 6 is the final, public ceremony, what is known as the outer aspect of Chi Nang-Sang Sum (strictly interpreted as Inner, Secret and Outer Coronation or more loosely as sacred and public coronation).

In order to reach the most vulnerable people in the shortest time, the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon (OGZ) has been taking kidu to the people instead of people in need traveling to Thimphu to seek an audience(with His Majesty).

“The poorest of the poor will never be able to make it to Thimphu to seek kidu; these people cannot even make it to the dzongkhag offices from the villages for many reasons. And even if they make the effort to walk the distance, the main obstacle is their lack of financial resources and the knowledge of bureaucratic procedures,” said Zimpon Wogma Yeshey Lhendup.